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| Hiking | 10.10 Miles |
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| | Hiking | 10.10 Miles | 6 Hrs | | 1.68 mph |
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| no partners | | | State Road 261 (the Big Lake road) is closed indefinitely from the reservation boundary to Winn campground, rendering the West Baldy/Sheep Crossing area inaccessible by vehicles. Rather than being an impediment, this closure promotes use of routes one would usually not consider. We parked at the restrooms where the pavement ends and walked south across the meadow and into the woods. Here begins a ridge that ascends in a series of steps to Baldy's summit. The ridge also marks the boundary between national forest and reservation. At this point a substantial fence also defines that boundary; farther up much of the fence is on the ground, and even further along there is no barrier at all but an occasional post with warning sign. The only trails in the area are game tracks that meander and eventually peter out or wander onto the reservation, but the walking is not difficult. We proceeded up the ridge for somewhat more than five miles, from time to time passing through areas that were logged many years ago where traces of skidder trails remain, and wandering into lovely little isolated meadows - we spooked a cow elk out of one. Above 10,000 feet all evidence of logging ends, and the old growth trees are majestic in size and bearing. Infrequent breaks in the forest wall allow views to the east where Escudilla looms like a leviathan - there's no escaping Escudilla in the White Mountains. At our turn around time, we descended 1,000 feet more or less directly into Hall Creek canyon for the return to our truck. In its upper end the canyon is a maze of deadfall so progress was slow. We startled several more elk here before reaching the miles-long meadow that extends all the way to the road. We stopped to admire several fields of wild irises along the way. All in all, a totally enjoyable day, and, of course, we encountered no other hikers. |
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Route Editor
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